DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (122) issued by The Government News Network
on 23 July 2008
Work on the
largest civil engineering project in Europe to get underway
Crossrail, the largest addition to the transport network in
London and the South East for more than 50 years has completed its
Parliamentary process, with the Crossrail Bill receiving Royal
Assent last night.
Following the Prime Minister's announcement last October
that a £16bn funding package had been secured for the construction
of Crossrail, Parliamentary approval of the Bill means that the
project is on track to be operational for passengers in 2017. It
will mean more capacity and faster journeys for passengers, as
well as a £20bn boost to the wider UK economy.
The line will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west
through tunnels under central London - with new stations at
Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon,
Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Isle of Dogs (Canary Wharf) - then
out to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
The Crossrail Act grants powers to acquire land and for Crossrail
to be built and maintained. Enabling works will take place next
year, with main construction works set to begin in 2010.
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said:
"This landmark project is of major significance to both
London and the whole country. It will generate jobs and economic
growth, help re-vitalise some of our most deprived areas and
deliver major improvements for the travelling public.
"Crossrail has been talked about for decades, so I am
delighted that now we have secured both the funding package and
parliamentary approval work can finally begin to deliver this
fantastic project."
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:
"I am absolutely thrilled that work can now begin on one of
the largest projects ever seen in the capital, a project that is
vital to the future prosperity of our city and a project that has
the potential to improve the lives of many thousands of Londoners.
"Crossrail will shorten journey times for Londoners and
visitors to our city whether they are heading for the bright
lights of the west end or the citadels of commerce at Canary
Wharf. But most importantly it can act as a catalyst for
regeneration across the whole of our city, particularly in the
east of the capital.
"Londoners living in the east will have far greater access
to jobs in the centre of London and we expect to see the areas
where they are living flourish from private sector investment in
housing and development. All this and Crossrail even pays for
itself. That is what I call a cracking deal for the capital."
Douglas Oakervee, Executive Chairman of Cross London Rail Links said
"Royal Assent is the most significant milestone in the
history of Crossrail. After years of planning and discussion, we
are ready to move into the delivery phase of a project that will
benefit London, the south east region and the UK as a whole.
"Up to 14,000 people will be employed in the construction,
and training schemes are planned to help equip Londoners along the
route with the skills to secure these jobs. This will be a project
for the whole community - a new world class affordable railway
that London expects and deserves."
London's Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said:
"The importance of Crossrail to London's economy and
transport network cannot be overstated. Along with the vital
upgrade of the Tube, it will provide much needed additional
transport capacity to keep London moving.
"When complete, it will carry twice as many passengers as
the Jubilee line, increasing London's public transport
network capacity by 10%. Our priority now is to ensure delivery of
this project, on time and on budget."
Iain Coucher, chief executive, Network Rail said:
"We have a thriving and punctual railway and the key
challenge now is providing more capacity for passengers.
Crossrail, along with projects such as Thameslink will provide a
huge boost to public transport across the capital and beyond,
linking some of the UK's busiest transport hubs and adding a
vast array of new journey opportunities to commuters, business and
leisure travellers.
"Network Rail will play a vital role in preparing the
existing rail network to accommodate a vast increase in traffic
and providing upgrades to passenger facilities that encourage
people to use the railway."
Baroness Jo Valentine, London First said:
"Today's final parliamentary approval is great news for
the capital's commuters and businesses. It signals
Government intent to get moving on delivering on this crucial
project. But, more than that, it signals a world city investing
in its future competitiveness."
When complete, there will be 24 trains per hour in each direction
through Central London during peak times. This will provide
substantial new passenger capacity and crowding relief,
particularly on the Central and Piccadilly lines.
The service will be delivered by a new and dedicated fleet of
approximately 600 air conditioned carriages. They will be greener,
lighter, quicker, able to carry a greater number of passengers and
more reliable than existing designs. Stations along the route
will be accessible.
Royal Assent is the most significant milestone in the history of
Crossrail and the time when Cross London Rail Links Limited
changes from a planning and promotional organisation to the
Delivery Agent for this exciting new railway. As part of this
transformation four new independent non-executive directors -
Michael Cassidy CBE, Patrick Crawford, Sir Joe Dwyer and Heather
Rabbatts, CBE - have been appointed.
The Executive Chairman Douglas Oakervee, who has successfully led
the company over the past three years, will continue in that role
until the appointment of a CEO and non-Executive Chairperson in
accordance with best corporate governance practice. An open and
competitive selection process will commence shortly to bring about
this change. It is expected that Mr Oakervee's experience and
knowledge will continue to be closely associated with Crossrail
through the challenging and exciting times ahead.
Notes to Editors
1. The Crossrail project is a result of a partnership between
DfT, the London Mayor, Transport for London (TfL), Cross London
Rail Links (CLRL), Network Rail and London's business community.
2. Crossrail key facts:
* Over 200 million passengers will travel on Crossrail each year.
* Crossrail will bring an additional 1.5m people within 60
minutes commuting distance of London's key business districts
and is forecast to create 30,000 jobs. It will add at least £20bn
to the UK economy. Up to 14,000 people will be employed at the
peak period of the line's construction.
* Crossrail will boost existing regeneration plans in the Thames
Gateway. Such is the size and scale of Crossrail that a Benefits
Board led by the Greater London Authority has been established to
secure the wider opportunities such as housing and development
that Crossrail brings.
* In total, Crossrail will add 10% to London's overall
public transport capacity.
* Trains will travel at up to 100 mph on the surface and 60 mph
in tunnels. Heathrow will be 31 minutes away from the West End and
43 minutes from Canary Wharf. Crossrail will cut journey times to
the West End from many parts of the capital - 19 minutes from
Southall, 22 minutes from Woolwich, 20 minutes from Ilford and 31
minutes from Romford. Further details on the route are available
on CLRL website http://www.crossrail.co.uk
* Transport opportunities for people with reduced mobility, with
luggage or pushchairs will improve, with new step-free Crossrail
stations in central London in the central section and accessible trains.
* For the first time in London, twin bore tunnels will be built
that are wide enough to carry mainline passenger trains beneath
the heart of the city. The internal diameter of the tunnels will
be 6 metres, compared with 3.8 metres on the existing Tube system.
In all, 21 km of twin-bore tunnels will be constructed
3. The Crossrail Bill was deposited in February 2005. 466
petitions were lodged in the House of Commons and 133 in the House
of Lords and, in each House, petitioners had the opportunity to
present their cases to a special Select Committee. A variety of
commitments, from protection against noise to managing the
disruption that will be caused by construction, were given to petitioners.
4. Crossrail's £16bn funding package was announced by the
Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, on 5 October 2007 and
confirmed in the subsequent Comprehensive Spending Review. On 26
November 2007 the Government published the Heads of Terms which
sets out the agreements that have been reached between DfT and TfL
on the future funding and governance of the Crossrail project. DfT
will be responsible for £5.6bn of funding with the Mayor through
TfL and the Greater London Authority responsible for £7.7bn of
funding. This allows for contributions from BAA and the City of
London Corporation and Canary Wharf Group and Berkeley Homes will
also contribute through the construction on beneficial terms of
new stations at the Isle of Dogs and Woolwich respectively.
5. Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) is the company that has
developed the Crossrail to date and will be responsible for its
construction. The company is currently owned 50/50 by the
Secretary of State and TfL but will become wholly-owned by TfL.
6. CLRL will have its own Board separate to that of TfL. The
Chairman of CLRL will be appointed by TfL with the consent of DfT.
There will be at least 4 non-executive directors appointed by the
Chair. DfT and TfL will additionally have the right to appoint one
non-executive director each
7. In the next few days an Order will be made by the Secretary of
State under the powers in the Crossrail Act to make CLRL the
nominated undertaker for the Crossrail works. This will transfer
to CLRL powers to build the railway.
8. OJEU notices for expressions of interest in the delivery and
design of Crossrail have been issued and considerable interest
shown. The appointment of a delivery partner will reinforce the
existing project team's professional programme, project and
engineering management services. The appointment of design
consultants will help the project to maintain its flexibility of
approach to a complex and challenging design.
9. Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and
delivery of the works outside the tunnel area, on the existing
rail network.
10. On Monday 21 July, the Office of Rail Regulation wrote to
Network Rail formally directing them under section 18 of the
Railways Act 1993 to enter into a track access option with the
Secretary of State for Transport. The track access option gives
firm access rights for Crossrail to use the national rail network
for 30 years from the commencement of services and provides
important long term security for the project. More information can
be found on the ORR website (http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.214).
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk